Baby elephant born at Planckendael

Animal park Planckendael near Mechelen has announced the birth of Qiyo, the fifth baby for Phyo Phyo and a little sister for the country’s most famous elephant, Kai Mook, who is now six.

Tradition has it that animals born at the park or at Antwerp Zoo, with which Plankendael is associated, are given names beginning with sequential letters of the alphabet. The last Baby Q, born in April, never had the chance to be named: Unable to stand, he was rejected by his mother and later died from complications related to jaundice.

Qiyo, by contrast, is already standing on her own four feet, according to the first photograph issued by the park. Only by standing upright can a baby elephant suckle properly and obtain mother’s milk, which contains crucial elements for survival and growth.

The public will be able to see baby Qiyo from tomorrow, with a priority viewing today for anyone with a zoo season ticket.

Photo © Planckendael / Jonas Verhulst